State Wildlife Officials Will Seek To Intervene In Federal Wolf Delisting Law Suit

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks officials confirmed today that they will submit a motion to intervene in a lawsuit filed this week against the federal government over a decision to remove gray wolves in the northern Rocky Mountains from the list of endangered species.

FWP officials also said the agency will similarly oppose a request from about a dozen groups that seeks a preliminary injunction from the federal district court in Missoula where the lawsuit was filed. If granted, such an injunction would reinstate federal Endangered Species Act protection for gray wolves in the northern Rockies while the court considers the lawsuit.

"We believe Montana’s wolf population is healthy, growing and firmly established in our state," said Jeff Hagener, director FWP in Helena. "The people of Montana have shown patience and cooperation during wolf recovery.   FWP supports wolf delisting and we’ll join the legal proceedings to help ensure that wolves in Montana remain under state jurisdiction and continue to be managed under a plan that has won nationwide praise and support."

The recovery goal for wolves in the northern Rocky Mountains was set at a minimum of 30 breeding pairs—successfully reproducing wolf packs—and a minimum of 300 individual wolves for at least three consecutive years. This goal was achieved in 2002, and the wolf population has increased every year since. The wolf population in the Northern Rocky Mountain Recovery Area, which comprises Montana, Idaho, and Wyoming, and parts of Oregon, Washington, and Utah now stands at more than 1,500, with 100 breeding pairs and is connected to a continuous population to the north in Canada and Alaska

At least 420 wolves now inhabit Montana, in 73 packs and 39 breeding pairs.   

To learn more about Montana’s recovered wolf population, visit FWP online at   fwp.mt.gov. Click Montana Wolves.